Lasting apparatus



' Oct. 2, 1934'. E. HOPE LASTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 19:52

-50 last contours, and to right and left lasts.

Patented Oct. 2, 1934- UNire STATES 1,975,460 LASTING APPARATUS Ernest vHope, Leicester, England, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application February 11, 1932, Serial No. 592,321 In Great Britain March 2'7, 1931 24 Claims.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of boots and shoes and is illustrated as embodied in apparatus for use in lasting boots and shoes.

' It has been a common practice in the manufacture of boots and shoes of the veldtschoen or stitchdown type to stretch the upper of the shoe over the last by means of an apparatus such as that disclosed in United States Patent No.

". 0 1,176,022, granted March 21, 1916, on an application of Arthur Bates, and then to drive tacks through the upper and into the last to hold the upper in stretched condition until it has been fastened to a sole.

In order to eliminate the operation of tacking the upper to the last to hold the upper in lasted position, ithas been proposed to employ a last ing or clamping apparatus arranged to clamp a shoe upper upon its last, which apparatus is portable with the last and upper during the subsequent operation of fastening the upper to the sole. In apparatus of the class described it is usual for the clamping device to be first positioned upon the last and after being so positioned to be actuated to clamp the shoe upper between a clamping means and the shoe last.

In order to simplify the construction and to facilitate the operation of apparatus of the class described the present invention contemplates the .30 provision of a clamping device which by a single operation may be positioned relatively to the shoe last and upper and actuated to clamp the upper between the clamping means and the shoe last and to exert a wiping action on the upper. To that end a feature of the invention consists in a device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting stern arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, means arranged to engage the forepart of a.

shoe'upper mounted upon the last, and yielding means connecting said upper engaging means and said supporting stem and arranged to press said upper engaging means downwardly with a forward tendency against the upper as the stem is pressed into the last pin hole.

Another object of the invention contemplates the provision in apparatus of the class described of shoe upper engaging members constructed and arranged to permit self adjustment to varying To this end a feature of the invention consists in a device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged to engage a shoe upper mounted upon the last, and resilient arms connecting said supporting member and said upperengaging members, whereby said upper-engaging members are self-adjusting to varying last contours.

Otherfeatures of the invention reside in certain detais of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims, the advantages of which will be understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of one form of upper holding clamp;

Fig. 2 shows the clamp of Fig. l in side elevation applied to a last and shoe upper;

Fig. 3 is aplan View of analternative form of clamp applied to a last and upper;

Fig. 4 shows the clamp of Fig. 3 in side ele vation applied to a last; 4 Y 76 Fig. 5 shows a portion of a modified construction of the clamp of Figs. 3 and .4; and

Fig. 6 shows a plan view'of another alternative form of upper holding clamp. 1

The invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a clamp adapted to hold a shoe upper in stretched or lasted condition upon its last and particularly adapted for employment in the manuiacture of stitchdown shoes, so called, wherein the marginal portion of a shoe upper is turned outwardly from the last and fastened to a POT-.- tion of a sole which extends beyond the periphery of the last.v

The upper holding clamp shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is composed of a single length 10 of steel wire, conveniently about three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The length of wire as a whole is doubled in a manner such that its two ends 12, 14 he parallel to one another. The ends for a distance of approximately one and one-half inches are fastened together, conveniently by welding so as to form a stem 16 which is intended to be engaged as shown in Fig. 2 in the usual last pin hole 17 in the heel end of the shoe last 15. When the stem 16 is engaged in the last pin hole the main portion of the wire extends as a pair of arms 18, 20 over the top surface of the 1 last. Beyond the stem-forming portion the arm portions of the wire are each bent at 21, 22 around three-quarters of a circle (of about onehalf inch diameter), forming what is in effect two single coil spiral springs. The arm portions 18, 20 of the wire pass on either side of the stem bends 21, 22, as shown in Fig. 2, toward the toe end of the last 15.

The mid portion of the length of wire formsa bridge 24 about one and one-half inches long between two three-quarter circular turns 26, 28'

made in the wire to form holding means for a pair of studs 30 of rubber or other resilient material. Between the bends 21, 22 and the studholding turns 26, 28 the two arm portions 18, 20 of the wire are bowed apart as shown in Fig. 1 so as just to clear the cone of the last and are also bowed downwardly as shown in Fig. 2 to bring the bridge portion 24 into proximity with the lower and forward part of the instep of the last.

The studs 30 are conveniently double headed, that is, their upper ends are of slightly greater diameter than the parts embraced by the wire turns 26, 28, so that the studs are self-retaining in position in the wire turns.

The stem 16 formed by fastening together side by side, as shown, two ends of a wire of the diameter above described does not fit at all closely into the usual cylindrical last pin holes of lasts. In order that a stem thus formed may grip the interior surface of a usual last pin hole it is preferable to turn the ends 12, 14 of the wires which form the extreme end of the stem at a small angle to the stem as shown in Fig. 2 and thus to form a lug which projects toward that end .of the clamp which engages the forepart of the last.

The formation of the clamp above described is such that when the stem portion 16 is pushed into the last pin hole 1'7 of a last of suitable shape and size the rubber studs 30 will be forcibly pressed against the upper surface of the forepart of the last, the stem then being caused to grip by friction in the last pin hole. In using such a clamp the operator, having stretched an upper over a last, conveniently by an apparatus such as that disclosed in the patent to Bates, hereinbefore referred to, will insert the clamp stem in the last pin hole with the main portion of the clamp over the last and will force the stem home in the hole. The studs 30 will by such action be forced down upon the upper forepart and will hold it in its stretched condition by pressing it firmly against the last. The action of forcing the stem home in the last pin hole also causes some straightening they contact toward the toe end of the last and when the stem has been fully forced into the hole the studs will, on account of the strong pressure exerted by them upon the upper, continue to hold the upper in its stretched condition as long as the clamp remains applied to the last and upper. upper may then be removed from the stretching machine, and a sole applied and fastened to the upper margin.

A clamp constructed as above described may usually be removed from the last after the upper has been fastened to the sole merely by pulling upon the coil spring portions 21 and 22, but if the frictional grip of the stem in the last pin hole (due to spring of the device, jammed at one end into the last pin hole and pressing at the other end of the last forepart) is sufiicient to prevent separation of the last and clamp in. that way, the insertion of a bar between the last crown and the coiled portions of the clamp will facilitate the ac- The unit comprising the clamp, last and tion of removal of the device from the shoe.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the clamp shown comprises a last pin hole engaging member having a cylindrical stem 41 arranged to fit loosely within a last pin hole of average size, and provided with an enlarged head 42. Two wires 43 and 44 conveniently of the same diameter as and nature of the wire described above, are fixed rigidly into the head at their rear ends. This fixing may conveniently be performed by drilling the head as indicated by the dotted lines 45 in Fig. 4, passing the wire ends into the drilled holes and securing the ends in place, for example, by welding. The forward ends of the wires 43, 44 carry yielding studs 30 in the manner before described. The upper face of the head 42 is substantially if not quite flat and provides a surface which facilitates the application of the clamp to a last and upper by a push or a blow upon that surface.

A clamp of the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 will have a tendency to exert a lateral stretching action on the forepart of the upper due to the fact that the forward ends of the wires43 and 44 are not connected by any bridge member directly bridging them and consequently the action of forcing the stem 41 into the last pin hole will have some tendency, the degree of which will depend mainly upon the transverse curvature of the upper side of the forward instep portion of the last, to force the studs 30 laterally apart from one another in addition to forcing them downwardly upon and forwardly toward the toe end of the last. Any one clamp constructed either as shown in Figs. 1 and 2'or in Figs. 3 and 4 is apt to be limited in its application to lasts of somewhat definite size'and shape. A series of such clamps would usually be necessary to enable a full range of shoe sizes to be dealt with and clamps having differing amounts of' curvature of their main portions would be necessary in the majority of cases to deal with lasts that differ at all widely in their outlines. A modified form of the clamp shown in Figs. 3 and 4 which is adjustable for size of last and is applicable to varying 'shapesof last may be constructed as shown by Fig. 5. In this construction the head 42 of a last pin hole enga ing member is provided with a separate upper clamping piece-46 and the stud carrying wires, of which only one, 44, is shown in this figure, are made long enough to enable the longest lasts likely to be dealt with to have their uppers held by the clamp. A thumb screw 48 is provided by which the part 46 may be firmly screwed down to clamp the wires. The rear ends of the wires 43 and 44 shown in this construction are straight and are slidable lengthwise between the head 42 and clamping piece 46 so as to set the studs at the desired distance (according to the size of last)- from the stem 41. Also, owing to the curvature given to the wires toward their ends which hold the studs, it is possible toadjust the wires to suit lasts diifering in width or transverse curvature in their foreparts.

If it is desired to have upper pressing members,

as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, readily self adjusting,- the bridge 24 may be omitted,'as shown in Fig. 6, and the main lengths 18 and 20 may be bridged across midway of their lengths by a bar 50 se- T...

cured thereto which may conveniently be welded at each end to one of the lengths 18, 20. The bridge 5!) gives the necessary strength and stability to the device and limits the extent of independent movement of the upper engaging studs while permitting suiiicient independent movement for the purpose described.

While the invention is herein illustrated as employed in the manufacture of stitchdown shoes it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to employment in the manufacture of stitchdown shoes but may also be employed with advantage in the manufacture of other forms of shoes. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member constructed and arranged for engagement with a shoe last, means arranged to apply clamping pressure to a shoe upper mounted upon the last at points separated fromeach other transversely of the last, and a resilient rod connecting the supporting member and said upper engaging means.

2. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, mean's'arranged to engage the forepart of a shoe upper mounted upon the last, and yielding means connecting said upper engaging means and said supporting stem and arranged to press said upper engaging means downwardly with a forward tendency against the upper as the stem is pressed into the last pin hole.

3; A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a unitary structure having a supporting stem arranged'for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged for engagement with a shoe upper mounted upon the last and separated from each other transversely of the last, which members are held against movement toward and from each other, and yielding connections between said supporting stem and said upper-engaging members.

4. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged to engage a shoe upper mounted upon the last, and resilient arms connecting said supporting member and said upper-engaging members, whereby said upperengaging members are self-adjusting to varying last contours.

5. A device for use in themanufacture of boots and shoes comprising an integral structure consisting of a supporting stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, a pair of arms arranged to extend forwardly of the last from said stem, and yielding connections between said stem and said arms whereby said arms are urged downwardly'toward the last, and an upper engaging member carried by each of said arms.

6. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a unitary structure having a supporting stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, a pair of members arranged to engage a shoe upper mounted upon the last, a pair of arms arranged to carry said upper engaging member, a cross bar for connecting said arms approximately midway of their length, and yielding means connecting said arms and said supporting stem.

7. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a pair of '1 members arranged to engage the forepart of a shoe upper mounted upon the last and separated from each other transversely of the last, and a pair of arms mounted in said-supporting mem ber and arranged to carry said upper-engaging members, said arms being constructed and arranged to yield independently heightwise of the last to permit self-adjustment of the upper engaging members to right and left lasts.

- 8. A device for use in themanufacture of boots and shoes comprising a unitary structure having a supporting member arranged to engage within the last pin hole of a shoe last, a pair of members arranged to engage a shoe upper mounted on the last separated from each other in order to hold the upper in stretched condition both lengths wise and widthwise of the last, a pair of arms arranged to 'carry said upper engaging members, and a pair of springs connecting said arms and said supporting member.

9. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged for engagement with a shoe upper mounted upon the last separated from each other in order to hold the upper in stretched condition both lengthwise and widthwise of the last, and a plurality of resilient arms arranged to carry said upper engaging members, which arms are mounted in said supporting stem with capacity for lengthwise adjustment.

10. A clamp for securing a shoe upper in lasted condition upon a shoe last comprising a unitary member having a supporting stem arranged for gripping engagement within the last pin hole of the last, a pair of upper engaging pads, a pair of resilient arms arranged to carry said pads, and a pair of springs connecting said resilient arms and said supporting stem.

'11. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a. shoe last, a plurality of members arranged to engage a shoe upper mounted upon the last and a plurality of resilient arms connecting said stem and said members and arranged, when the device is being pressedinto last engaging position, to exert a downward and forward pressure on said upper engaging members and to exert a pressure on said stem transversely thereof in order to produce a frictional engagement between said stem and the last pin hole to hold the stem in position.

12. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes'comprising a supporting stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged for engagement with a shoe upper mounted upon the last, a plurality of arms arranged to carry said upper engagingmembers, which arms are mounted in the supporting stem with capacity forrota-- tive adjustment whereby said upper engaging members are rendered adjustable sidewise of the last.

and shoes comprising a supporting member arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a resilient frame extending forwardly from said supporting member and having loops formed therein, and shoe upper engaging members comprising double headed resilient studs arranged to be retained within said loops, respectively, by their own resiliency.

14. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a length of heavy 13. A device for use in the manufacture of boots sure.

resilient wire having its end portions united along their length to form a stem arranged for engagement within the last pin hole of a shoe last and arranged between its ends to form a resilient frame extending from said stem forwardly of thelast and having loops formed at its forward end, and shoe upper engaging pads retained: within said loops,.respeotively. 15. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member constructed and arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged to engage laterally inclined surfaces of the forepart of ashoe upper mounted upon the last, and arms connecting said, supporting member and said upper engaging members yieldable sidewise of the last, thereby permitting said upper engaging members to exert a lateral stretching action upon the upper as the supporting member is forced into last engaging position. 16. A devicefor use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting stem constructed and arranged for engagement within 'thelast pin hole of a shoe last, a pair ofmembers for engaging the forepart of an upper on-the last at each side of its central portion, and-a pair of arms connecting said supporting stem'and said upper engaging members yieldable sidewise of'the last, thereby permitting said upper engaging members to exert a lateral stretching action upon the upper as the supporting stem is forced into the'lastpin hole. I

l7.'A device for use in the manufacture of boots'and-shoes comprising a supporting memb'er' constructed and arranged for engagement with-a shoe last," a plurality of members arranged to apply clamping pressure to a shoe upper mounted upon the last, said members being separated from each other transversely of the last 5 and capable of independent movement transversely of the last, and yielding means connecting said supporting member and said upperengaging members. Y

18. -A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting mem-.- ber constructed and arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a plurality of members arranged to engage a shoe upper mounted upon the last, said'lne'mbers being separated from each other transversely of the last and capable .ofindependent movement transversely of the last, and yielding means connecting said supporting member and said upper-engaging members and arranged to press said upper-engaging members against the upper with substantially equal pres- 19. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes'comprising a unitary structure having a supporting'stem'arranged for engagement within the last'pin hole of a shoe last, a

pair'ofmembers arranged to engage the forepart of a shoe upper mounted upon the last, said members being separated from each other transversely of the last and capable of independent movement transversely of the last, a

pair of arms arranged to carry said upper-engaging members, and yielding connections between said arms and said supporting stemwhereby said upper-engaging members are brought into yielding engagement with the shoe upper.-

20.'A- device for use in themanufactu-re of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a pair of members arranged to engage the fore:- part of a shoe upper mounted upon the last, said members being separated from each other transversely of the last and capable of independent movement transversely ofthe last, and a pair of arms mounted in said supporting member and arranged to carry said upper-engaging members, said arms being constructed and arrangedto yield heightwise of the last to permit self-ad: justment of the upper-engaging members ,to right and left lasts.

21. A device for use in the manufactureof boots and shoes comprising a supporting memberarranged for engagement with a shoe last, pads for engaging the forepart of an upper on the last at each side, of its central portion, said pads being separated from each other transversely of the last and capable of independent movement transversely of the last, and resilient means connecting said supporting member. and said pads and arranged to press the pads against the upper with substantially equal pressure.

22. A device for use in the manufactureo-f boots and shoes comprising a supporting mem ber constructed and arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a, pair of members arranged to apply clamping pressure at transverselytseparated points to a shoe upper mounted upon the last, means connecting said upper engaging members to each other, and means connecting said upper engaging members to said supporting member. 15

23. A device for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes comprising a supporting member constructed and arranged for engagement with a shoe last, a pair of pads arranged to apply clamping pressure at transversely separated 129- points to a shoe upper mounted upon the last, and a resilient rod extending from said supporting member to one of said pads,.extending-'from said pad transversely of the shoe to .the opposite pad, thence extending rearwardly of the shoe to the supporting member,said pads being sup-v ported within loops formed in the resilient rod.

24. A-device for use in the manufacture of boots andshoes comprising alength of heavy resilient Wire arranged to form a stem for engagement within the last pinhole of a shoe last, arranged to form a resilient frame extending from said stem forwardly of the last, and-:ar ranged, at its'forward end, to form .a'pair of loops separated from each other transversely of the shoe by a transverse portion of said length of wire, and shoe upper engaging pads retained Within said loops, respectively.

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